The New York Times reports that on the Oscars red carpet, celebrities including singer Billie Eilish and actor Mark Ruffalo wore striking red pins calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. It was said to be a moving display of solidarity.
This marked a major shift from the general trend of Hollywood stars avoiding discussion of ongoing conflicts this awards season.
The red pin became a symbol of support for Artists4Ceasefire, a coalition of celebrities and industry figures who signed an open letter to President Joe Biden advocating for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The nearly 400 signatories include this year's Oscar nominees Bradley Cooper and America Ferrera, as well as celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Drake, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. There is.
Artists4Ceasefire said in a news release that the pin symbolizes collective support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the provision of emergency humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. “Compassion must prevail,” the release emphasized.
Among the entertainers wearing the iconic pin was comedian and actor Ramy Youssef, known for his role in the acclaimed film Poor Things. Youssef said with a mixture of hope and disappointment on his face. “Some of you may be hoping that we don't end up in trouble… Some of us were hoping that there would already be a ceasefire, but that's not the case. ”
Youssef also reflected on the surprising lack of questions about the war at red carpet events earlier this season. At the Golden Globes ceremony in January, he turned a question about his colleague's ad into a call for a ceasefire, stressing that this was not about political strategy but a plea to stop the loss of innocent lives. did.
Other notable figures who have joined the movement include director Ava DuVernay, actor Quanna Chasing Horse, and singer Billie Eilish, who incorporated red accents into her event attire. Eilish's brother, producer Finneas, also wore a pin to show his support.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has not featured much on red carpets in the past, but the Oscars brought renewed attention to the region's humanitarian crisis.
The shiny red, quarter-shaped pin, featuring an image of hands surrounding a black heart, appeared intermittently throughout awards season. At the Grammy Awards, members of the indie rock trio Boygenius wore these pins on their suits, and actors Tony Shalhoub and Ebon Moss-Bachrach showed them off at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Mark Ruffalo, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Poor Things, proudly showed off his Artist 4 Truce pin at the Directors Guild of America Awards in February, emphasizing the need to give peace a chance. “We are not going to bomb the path to peace,” Ruffalo insisted.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life, with Gazan officials reporting more than 30,000 deaths in Gaza and approximately 1,200 casualties in Israel due to Hamas attacks.
Awards red carpets have historically provided stars with an opportunity to raise awareness about a variety of issues. In 2023, Blue Ribbon showed support for refugees at the Oscars, and in 2018, women wore black at the Golden Globes in solidarity with victims of sexual harassment. In 2020, Natalie Portman wore a cape embroidered with the names of female directors to highlight the gender disparity in the industry.
While Hollywood stars are increasingly speaking out on awards stages about political, social and humanitarian issues, debate over the Middle East wars has been relatively subdued. But last month saw some change at the Grammys after Annie Lennox called for a truce during a musical tribute to singer Sinead O'Connor.
Los Angeles police have increased security around the Dolby Theater, the venue for the Oscars ceremony, amid concerns about possible protests related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Ramy Youssef emphasized the unique role of artists in drawing audiences to humanitarian issues, saying, “There's the term 'talking heads,' but I think artists speak their hearts.'' He added that he was “appealing on an emotional level.”
